It’s beginning to look a lot like the holiday season!
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That first snowfall, the twinkling lights and the smell of pine trees—these are all signs that the holiday season is upon us. Whether you’re looking to spend time with family and friends or find ways to get into the holiday spirit, Durham Region’s organizing committees have been hard at work planning events to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!
From tree-lighting ceremonies to merry markets, Durham Region municipalities have plenty of memory-making activities for the whole family. Check them out below.
Bright and Merry Market (City of Oshawa)
Date: November 17 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Location: Memorial Park (110 Simcoe Street South, Oshawa) and City Hall (50 Centre Street South, Oshawa)
Admission: Free
The City of Oshawa kicks off the holiday season with the Bright and Merry Market. This free event in the heart of downtown Oshawa offers fun for everyone including live entertainment, partner activities, holiday market vendors, a large variety of food vendors, a visit from Santa and a tree-lighting ceremony.
Winter Nights, City Lights (City of Pickering)
Dates: November 25, 26 and 27 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Location: The Esplanade Park (1 The Esplanade, Pickering)
Admission: Free
This event will include the lighting of Esplanade Park, fireworks, activities, live entertainment, food vendors, roaming characters and a visit from Old Saint Nick himself. Choose between Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening and bring the family out for some holiday fun.
Learn more and reserve your tickets at Pickering.ca.
Brooklin’s Christmas in the Village (Town of Whitby)
Date: November 25 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: Grass Park (41 Baldwin Street, Whitby)
Admission: Free
This is a free, pedestrian-focused event that takes place in Grass Park and surrounding roads. The event is an evening of Christmas activities including carolling, a visit from Santa, seasonal crafts and activities, horse and wagon ride, hot chocolate, cookies and more!
Whitby Lights the Night and Holiday Festival (Town of Whitby)
Date: November 25 from 6 to 10 p.m.
Location: Whitby Civic Park (575 Rossland Road East, Whitby)
Admission: Free
Whitby Lights the Night and Holiday Festival is an annual event that marks the official start of the holiday season, held over six weeks, from November 25 to January 4, 2023.
Photo credit: Eileen Nixon, Ajax Photography Club
Santa’s Spectacle of Lights and Santa Claus Parade (Town of Ajax)
Date: November 26 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Town Hall (65 Harwood Avenue South, Ajax) and the Ajax Public Library Main Branch (55 Harwood Avenue South, Ajax)
Admission: Free
Santa is coming to town! Ajax residents and visitors are invited to participate in a family friendly evening of fun and entertainment at the Santa Claus Parade! Immediately following the parade, you’re invited for a special tree-lighting ceremony and after party at Town Hall and the Ajax Public Library (main branch).
Moonlight Magic and Christmas Market (Municipality of Clarington)
Date: December 2 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Location: Historic Downtown Bowmanville (King Street and Temperance Street)
Admission: Free
Celebrate the holiday season with your family in Bowmanville at Christmas Moonlight Magic. Join the annual tree-lighting ceremony, listen to some carols and bask in the magic of the season. You can also have your picture taken with Santa and his reindeer. Enjoy the Christmas Market and free horse-drawn wagon rides along the main street, perfect for helping you carry your parcels as you shop at the local stores that stay open late for evening holiday shopping. Stop by one of the restaurants to take a break and enjoy some great food.
"Holiday Trail Comes to Life" featuring Holidays Around the World (Township of Uxbridge)
Dates: December 9 and 10 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Location: Brock Street, Uxbridge
Admission: Free
‘Tis the Season and a great time to get into the holiday spirit with a magical journey through the Trail Capital of Canada. Start with a drive through the Uxbridge Optimist Fantasy of Lights, a trail of brilliant holiday displays winding through Uxbridge’s Elgin Park. Continue your journey through the charming, historic downtown along the Holiday Shopping Trail to see many of the boutique shop windows decked out for "Holidays Around the World." Fuel up along the way and enjoy holiday drinks and treats from local cafés and restaurants.
Learn more at DiscoverUxbridge.ca.
Santa Claus Parades
Beaverton Santa Claus Parade and Open House (Township of Brock)
Date: November 18 at 7 p.m.
Location: Downtown Beaverton
Uxbridge Santa Claus Parade (Township of Uxbridge)
Date: November 19 at 11 a.m.
Location: Join the jolly fellow and his friends as they travel from the Uxbridge Arena, east along Brock Street to Uxbridge Secondary School.
Learn more at DiscoverUxbridge.ca.
Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade (Municipality of Clarington)
Date: November 19 at 10:30 a.m.
Location: The parade starts at Scugog Street and King Street East and runs to Simpson Avenue.
Learn more at BowmanvilleSantaClausParade.com.
Santa’s Parade of Lights Oshawa (City of Oshawa)
Date: November 19 at 6 p.m.
Location: The parade begins on King Street West at Westmount Street and travels west to Simcoe Street, north on Simcoe Street to Bond Street West, and east on Bond Street West, ending at Gibbons Street.
Learn more at OshawaSantaClausParade.org.
Newcastle Santa Parade (Municipality of Clarington)
Date: November 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Location: The parade will proceed easterly from North Street along King Avenue to Arthur Street and Brookhouse Drive in the east.
Learn more at NewcastleSantaParade.com.
Cannington Santa Claus Parade (Township of Brock)
Date: November 26 at 11 a.m.
Location: Downtown Cannington
Port Perry Santa Claus Parade (Township of Scugog)
Date: December 3 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Location: The parade route begins at Reach and Simcoe Streets and will travel south to Queen Street, then east to Water Street and will end at Mary Street.
Learn more at ScugogChamber.ca.
Whitby Santa Claus Parade (Town of Whitby)
Date: December 3 at 10 a.m.
Location: The parade’s starting point is at the intersection of Brock Street North and Manning Road, and the parade will travel Southbound on Brock Street and end at the intersection of Brock Street South and Trent Street.
Learn more at WhitbySantaClausParade.ca.
Sunderland Santa Claus Parade (Township of Brock)
Date: December 10 at 7 p.m.
Location: Downtown Sunderland
Explore more and shop local
There’s more to explore throughout Durham Region’s communities, including fourteen distinct and diverse downtown areas. Our shops, restaurants and businesses are ready to be explored! Take some time to re-visit some of your local favourites and discover some new ones while you shop in Durham this holiday season.
Looking for more holiday inspiration?
Follow @DurhamTourism on social media.
Sign up for the monthly Durham Tourism visitor e-newsletter.
Learn more at DurhamTourism.ca.
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